Vivify STEM Blog
What to Teach in STEM: A K-8 Engineering Education Framework
You’ve been tasked with bringing STEM into your classroom, and you’re excited to create a space filled with innovation, problem-solving, and curiosity. You want to inspire and prepare your students for the future. But a quick online search for “STEM activities” bombards you with tower challenges, cardboard art, popsicle catapults, robotics competitions, and even a balloon launch to space. Suddenly, you begin to wonder—is everything STEM? Where do you even begin? What makes an activity STEM?
To help educators navigate this complex and evolving landscape, we’re excited to introduce Vivify’s K–8 Framework for Engineering Education! In this post, we’ll unpack how we define STEM learning and explore what are appropriate goals for a K-8 STEM classroom.
How to Teach STEM Through A Story
Do you begin your lessons with a story? Stories are a powerful tool that will increase engagement in STEM activities. Read below for strategies including a video on developing stories that provide motivation and tie in real-world STEM events and career connections. We also link a freebie blueprint to develop your own STEM storyline!
Scientific Method vs. Engineering Design Process: Which is used in STEM learning?
Are you a STEM teacher? Confused on what process to use in your classroom? Or perhaps you need a refresher on the scientific method versus the engineering design process. Read on for an overview of each, how they are used in the real world and our view of which process is best for STEM education.
Common Challenges of Afterschool Robotics
Last year, I helped organize four middle school Robotics Clubs that participated in GEAR and First Lego League competitions. While I believe robotics is an amazing component of STEM education, I wanted to highlight some of the challenges we faced in creating a quality after school program. I also outlined some possible solutions to help overcome these challenges, which I am implementing this year.
STEM Club Rules
After moving from engineering to education, I had a lot to learn about teaching! I was used to speaking to a group of middle-aged male engineers, and now I had a classroom full of sixth graders arguing over a bag of Takis (popular San Antonio snacks). I had decided to start an after school Space Club, and to my surprise, I had over fifty students crammed into the classroom on day one. Now what?!